Rockford homicide victim remembered fondly; arrest warrant issued

ROCKFORD — A man whose burned body was found inside a call-center office was a beloved community activist who worked extensively with IGNITE Rockford.

Todd Hansmeier, 37, an insurance salesman from Rockford, was found after 5:30 a.m. Monday by Rockford firefighters responding to a fire at QVSM, Quancor Virtual Sales & Marketing Inc. in the 300 block of North Alpine Road.

An arrest warrant for murder was issued for QVSM employee Terrence Doddy, 36, of Rockford in connection with Hansmeier’s death; bond was set at $1 million. Doddy also is wanted for aggravated domestic battery, with a bond of $100,000.

Doddy is believed to be in possession of Hansmeier’s black 2011 Chevrolet Cruze with Illinois license plate L611935. He is considered dangerous.

Hansmeier “loved Rockford,” IGNITE Rockford President Jolene Smith said. “He was heavily involved with fundraising and anything related to IGNITE. He was the best guy and had awesome character.”

Hansmeier served most recently as treasurer of the group, which aims to attract young professionals to Rockford. He was a man who worked to better his community, made those around him laugh and would always go out of his way to help a friend, Smith said.

A group of friends that included Smith and Hansmeier often would watch and discuss the HBO TV show “Game of Thrones.”

An autopsy showed Hansmeier’s cause of death as traumatic head and neck injuries, Winnebago County Chief Deputy Coroner William Hintz said in a news release Tuesday.

Hansmeier is believed to be Rockford’s 10th homicide of 2014.

Mourners posted dozens of messages on Hansmeier’s Facebook page.

“I’ll miss you man,” Rick Konieczko wrote. “You were the most fun-loving guy I knew.”

Gina Adrignola Brown will remember Hansmeier’s smile: “He always smiled and was happy to see you. You will be missed by too many to mention, Todd Hansmeier. Anyone who knew you is a better person because of the happiness you brought to their life.”